the public lands are situated, have a deep interest, required prompt action, no less than the peace and order of the city, and the security of the inauguration of the President elect, which were objects of vast importance to the whole country.

The resolution of the House had been referred by the President to the Secretary of War, Mr. Holt, who returned an answer to the President on the 18th of February, in which he thus expressed his belief in the existence of an organization to capture Washington:

At what time the armed occupation of Washington City became a part of the revolutionary programme, is not certainly known. More than six weeks ago, the impression had already extensively obtained that a conspiracy for the accomplishment of this guilty purpose was in process of formation, if not fully matured. The earnest endeavors made by men known to be devoted to the revolution, to hurry Virginia and Maryland out of the Union, were regarded as preparatory steps for the subjugation of Washington. This plan was in entire harmony with the aim and spirit of those seeking the subversion of the Government, since no more fatal blow at its existence could be struck than the permanent and hostile possession of the seat of its power. It was in harmony, too, with the avowed designs of the revolutionists, which looked to the formation of a confederacy of all the slave States, and necessarily to the conquest of the capital within their limits. It seemed not very indistinctly prefigured in a proclamation made upon the floor of the Senate, without qualification, if not exultingly, that the Union was already dissolved-a proclamation which, however intended, was certainly calculated to invite, on the part of men of desperate fortunes or of revolutionary States, a raid upon the capital. In view of the violence and turbulent disorders already ex hibited in the South, the public mind could not reject such a scheme as at all improbable. That a belief in its existence was entertained by multitudes, there can be no doubt, and this belief I fully shared. My conviction rested not only on the facts already alluded to, but upon information, some of which was of a most conclusive character, that reached the Government from many parts of the country, not merely expressing the prevalence of the opinion that such an organization had been formed, but also often furnishing the plausible grounds on which the opinion was based. Superadded to these proofs, were the oft-repeated declarations of men in high political positions here,

and who were known to have intimate affiliations with the revolution-if indeed they did not hold its reins in their hands to the effect that Mr. Lincoln would not, or should not, be inaugurated at Washington Such declarations, from such men, could not be treated as empty bluster. They were the solemn utterances of those who well understood the import of their words, and who, in the exultation of the temporary victories gained over their country's flag in the South, felt assured that events would soon give them the power to verify their predictions. Simultaneously with these prophetic warnings, a Southern journal of large circulation and influence, and which is published near the city of Washington, advocated its seizure as a possible political necessity.

A select committee of the House of Representatives, of which Mr. Howard of Michigan was chairman, made a report, in which they said that they had thoroughly investigated the subject, and were of opinion that the evidence before them did not prove the existence of a secret organization at Washington or elsewhere hostile to the Government, and that had for its object, upon its own responsibility, an attack

upon the capital, or any of the public property there, or an interruption of any of the functions of the Government. At the same period a resolution was offered in the House of Representatives, expressing the opinion "that the regular troops now in this city ought to be forthwith removed therefrom." This was laid on the

table.

Whatever of excitement and alarm existed in the city, had entirely subsided before the 1st of March, and a feeling of comparative peace and security prevailed.

Lincoln were in some respects the most brillThe ceremonies at the inauguration of Mr. iant and imposing ever witnessed at Washington. Nearly 20 well-drilled military companies of the District, comprising a force of more than 2,000 men, were on parade. Georgetown sent companies of cavalry, infantry, and artillery of fine appearance. The troops stationed at the City Hall and Willard's Hotel became objects of attraction to vast numbers of both sexes. At noon the Senate Committee called upon President Buchanan, who proceeded with them to Willard's Hotel to receive the President elect. The party thus composed, joined by other distinguished citizens, then proceeded, in open carriages, along the avenue at a moderate pace, with military in front and rear, and thousands of private citizens, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot, crowding the broad street. The capitol was reached by passing up on the north side of the grounds, and the party entered the building by the northern door over a temporary planked walk. During the hour and a half previous to the arrival of President Buchanan and the President elect in the Senate chamber, that hall presented a gayer spectacle than ever before. The usual desks of the senators had been removed, and concentric lines of ornamented chairs set for the dignitaries of this and other lands with which this country was in bonds of amity and friendship. The inner half-circle on the right was occupied by the judges of the Supreme Court, and by senators. The corresponding half-circle on the extreme left was occupied by the members of the cabinets of Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Lincoln, mingled together, and further on by senators. The concentric circle further back was filled by senators. The next halfcircle on the right by the members of the diplomatic corps, all in the full court dress of their respective countries. In the half-circle immediately in the rear of that occupied by the ministers were the secretaries and attachés. The half-circles on the left, corresponding to those occupied by the corps diplomatique, furnished places for senators and governors of States and Territories. Outside of all, on both sides, stood-for there was no further room for seats-the members of the House of Representatives and chief officers of the executive bureaus. The galleries all round the Senate were occupied by ladies.

At a quarter past one o'clock the President

of the United States and the President elect entered the Senate chamber, preceded by Senator Foot and the marshal of the District of Columbia, and followed by Senators Baker and Pearce. They took seats immediately in front of the clerk's desk, facing outward; President Buchanan having the President elect on his right, and the senators equally distributed right and left.

In a few minutes Vice-President Hamlin, who had been previously installed, ordered the reading of the order of procession to the platform on the east of the capitol, and the line was formed, the marshal of the District of Columbia leading. Then followed Chief-Justice Taney and the judges of the Supreme Court, the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, the Committee of Arrangements of the Senate, the President of the United States and President elect, VicePresident of the United States and Senate, the members of the diplomatic corps, governors of States and Territories, and members of the House of Representatives. In this order the procession marched to the platform erected in the usual position over the main steps on the east front of the capitol, where a temporary covering had been placed to protect the President elect from possible rain during the reading of his inaugural address. The greater part of an hour was occupied in seating the procession on the platform, and in the delivery of the address of Mr. Lincoln, which he read with a clear, loud, and distinct voice, quite intelligible to at least 10,000 persons below him. At the close of the address Mr. Lincoln took the oath of office from the venerable chief-justice of the Supreme Court. After the ceremony of inauguration had been completed the President and ex-President retired by the same avenue, and the procession, or the military part of it, marched to the executive mansion. On arriving at the President's House, Mr. Lincoln met Gen. Scott, by whom he was warmly greeted, and then the doors of the house were opened, and thousands of persons rapidly passed through, shaking hands with the President, who stood in the reception room for that purpose. In this simple and quiet manner was the change of rulers made.

The proclamation of the President calling for 75,000 men was issued on the 15th of April. The impression had spread through the North that the first point of attack by the Southern troops would be Washington. As early as the 18th, therefore, seventeen car loads of troops, numbering about 600 men, arrived from Harrisburg, via Baltimore, and were quartered in rooms in the capitol. They passed through Baltimore about five o'clock, without serious molestation from disorderly persons. Other bodies from the same quarter were expected to arrive during the night.

At the same time a new kind of deposit was made in the basement rooms of the Treasury building, in the shape of several hundred casks of middlings, barrels of white beans,

sugar, sacks of coffee, &c., to supply the troops which were concentrating at Washington. It is not often that such commodities have storage in buildings of such elegant and costly architecture. In and around the General Post-Office and public buildings also were stored hundreds of barrels of pork, and other army supplies from Baltimore and other points.

During the whole day and night of the 18th, the avenues to the city were guarded and closely watched. Cannon were planted in commanding positions so as to sweep the river along that front, and these were supported by infantry. A proclamation was also issued by Mayor Berret, exhorting "all good citizens and sojourners to be careful so to conduct themselves as neither by word or deed to give occasion for any breach of the peace." After the outbreak at Baltimore on the 19th, no mail was received at Washington, either from the North or South, except from Alexandria on the one side and Baltimore on the other, until the 25th. On the 27th the New York Seventh Regiment arrived, having left New York on the 18th. A delay took place between Annapolis and Washington, in consequence of the damage done to the railroad track. The news brought to Washington by the Seventh was that four New York regiments were at Annapolis, with a part of a Massachusetts regiment, the remainder of which was at the Junction. The Seventh, therefore, as they marched up Pennsylvania Avenue, preceded by their band, and making a fine appearance, were received with the wildest demonstrations of pleasure on the part of the citizens. On the next day another body of troops arrived. They consisted of one-half of the Rhode Island regiment, 1,200 strong, commanded and headed by Gov. Sprague; and the Butler brigade, under Col. Butler, of Massachusetts, numbering nearly 1,400 men. They were met at the depot by the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, stationed in the capitol, who greeted their friends with the hear tiest cheers. These men, though severely worked by the toilsome labor requisite to repair the bridges and road track from Annapolis to the Junction, presented a fine appearance as their long and serpent-like lines wound through the streets. Troops now began to arrive daily, and Washington soon became the most military city on the continent.

On the night of the 23d of May the troops proceeded to occupy the heights on the opposite side of the Potomac in Virginia. The large camps formed in such positions in Virginia, that a rapid concentration by railroad could be made, rendered it prudent for the Government to occupy these positions, which, in consequence of the railroad connections between Alexandria and Richmond, were of great importance to the security of Washington. The night of the 23d was beautiful on the Potomac. A full moon looked peacefully down, and perfect quietness prevailed over all the shores in the neighborhood of Washington.

Companies of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were stationed near and on the Long Bridge. About midnight two companies of rifles were advanced across the bridge to the neighborhood of Roach's Spring. Scouts were sent out in all directions, who managed to get past the line of Virginia pickets. Somewhat later the latter, getting the alarm, set spurs to their horses, and made off down the road towards Alexandria in haste. Volunteers of the District of Columbia were also advanced towards Alexandria. At Georgetown, above, a movement was made about half-past eleven over the aqueduct by the Georgetown battalion, They drove off the two or three pickets on the Virginia side of the river, and soon established themselves in position. Next followed the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, Twenty-eighth Brooklyn Regiment, Company B of the United States Cavalry, and the Sixty-ninth Regiment. The last-named regiment scoured Alexandria County, and went back as far as the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. The sight of the troops crossing the aqueduct, with their burnished weapons gleaming in the bright moonlight, was strikingly beautiful. About 2 o'clock in the morning another large body of troops passed over from Washington and the neighborhood. The Seventh New York Regiment halted under orders at the Virginia end of the Long Bridge; the Second New Jersey Regiment went to Roach's Spring, half a mile from the end of the bridge; the New York Twenty-fifth and one cavalry company, and the New York Twelfth and the Third and Fourth New Jersey regiments, proceeded to the right, after crossing the bridge, for the occupation of the heights of Arlington. They were joined by the other troops, which crossed at the Georgetown aqueduct.

Ellsworth's Zouaves, in two steamers, with the steamer James Guy as tender, left their camp on the East Branch, and made directly for Alexandria by water. The Michigan Regiment, under Col. Wilcox, accompanied by a detachment of United States Cavalry and two pieces of Sherman's battery, proceeded by way of the Long Bridge directly for Alexandria. At four o'clock A. M., at about the same time, the Zouaves landed at Alexandria from the steamers, and the troops, who proceeded by the bridge, reached that town. As the steamers drew up near the wharf, armed boats left the Pawnee, whose crews leaped upon the wharfs just before the Zouaves reached the shore. The crews of the Pawnee's boats were fired upon by the few Virginia sentries as the boats left the steamship, by way of giving the alarm, when these sentries instantly fled into the town. Their fire was answered by scattering shots from some of the Zouaves on the decks of the steamers. Immediately on landing, the Zouaves marched up into the centre of the town, no resistance whatever to their progress being offered. Thus quiet possession was taken of that part of Alexandria, in the name of the

United States, by that portion of the troops immediately commanded by Col. Ellsworth, The Michigan regiment, at the same time, marched into the town by the extension of the Washington turnpike, the cavalry and artillery marching in two or three streets below. The destination of both these detachments was the depot of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which they instantly seized. They also found near by a disunion company of cavalry, of thirty-five men, and as many horses, who were made prisoners, not having heard the alarm made by the firing of the sentries below. A portion of the Virginian force escaped in cars. Thus was possession taken of the Virginia shore. Intrenching tools were conveyed over from Washington; the next day intrenchments were thrown up, and about noon a large national flag was raised within them, and thrown out to the winds. Great numbers of spectators, of both sexes, lined the heights on the east bank of the Potomac, watching the movements of the troops with eager interest. The only disastrous event occurring was the death of Col. Ellsworth, commander of the Fire Zouave regiment of New York. (See ELLSWORTH). The intrenchments thus commenced, subsequently became of immense extent, and with those on the other sides of Washington, consisted of forty-eight works, mounting 300 guns. The whole defence perimeter occupied was about thirty-five miles.

On the 9th of June a movement of troops up the Potomac took place from Washington. The Rhode Island battery, under Col. Burnside, was sent to join the force under Gen. Patterson at Chambersburg, and on the next day three battalions of District of Columbia Volunteers, numbering 1,000 men, moved up the Rockville road along the Potomac towards Edwards' Ferry. This point is about thirty miles from Georgetown, and equidistant from Washington and Harper's Ferry. It is the only crossing for teams between the Point of Rocks and the District. The road passed from Frederick (Md.) across a bridge over the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, to the established ferry across the Potomac, and terminated in Leesburg, Va., which is only four miles distant from the crossing. This route was at the time a general thoroughfare for the transit of secessionists from Maryland, and also for military stores, provisions, &c.

The quota of 1,000 men required from the District of Columbia was furnished to the Government by Washington and Georgetown at once. The supplies of military stores held by the Government at Washington were of the most extensive nature. The issues of ordnance and ordnance stores for the space of four months, between the 1st of July and 31st Oct. 1861, were as follows: 152,347 small arms, 14,454 sabres, 3,740 swords, 48,000 sets of accoutrements for foot soldiers, 16,465 do. for mounted soldiers, 16,685 sets of horse equipments, 2,554 sets of artillery harness. Ammunition.-18,

150,000 rounds for foot soldiers, 1,124,900 rounds for mounted soldiers, 61,306 rounds for field batteries, 16,942 rounds for garrison and seacoast. Cannon.-382 guns and howitzers, 717 gun-carriages and caissons, 53 travelling forges, 27 battery wagons.

WHEELING, the capital of Ohio County, in the western part of Virginia, is situated on the east or left bank of the Ohio River, and on both sides of Wheeling Creek. It is ninety-two miles below Pittsburg, three hundred and sixty-five miles above Cincinnati, and three hundred and fifty miles northwest of Richmond. It is also a port of entry for a district on the Ohio River. On the secession of Virginia, orders were received from Governor Letcher as early as the 20th of April, to seize the custom-house. But the people, being strongly in favor of the Union, maintained a guard over the building, under the direction of the city authorities. It subsequently became the seat of the State Government organized in Western Virginia. (See VIRGINIA, WESTERN.)

WHITTEMORE, THOMAS, D. D., born in Boston January 1, 1800, died in Cambridge, Mass., March 21, 1861. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a morocco dresser in Charlestown, and subsequently to a brassfounder; but neither occupation suiting his taste, he entered into the employ of a bootmaker in Boston. Becoming acquainted with the Rev. Hosea Ballou, he was led to commence studying for the ministry under his direction, and preached his first sermon in Roxbury, two weeks before attaining his majority. In 1820, he was settled in Milford, Mass., and from thence removed to Cambridgeport, where he remained pastor over the Universalist Society nine years. In early life he was joint editor of the "Universalist Magazine," and in 1828 originated the "Trumpet," continuing the editorship for nearly thirty years. In 1830, he published a "History of Universalism." In 1832, "Notes and Illustrations of the Parables; " in 1836, the "Songs of Zion; " in 1841, the "Gospel Harmonist;" in 1841, "Conference Hymns;" and in 1844, a "Sunday School Choir." One of his most popular works appeared in 1839, entitled "Plain Guide to Universalism." He was president of the Cambridge Bank for many years, and also president of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad. Mr. Whittemore represented Cambridge several years in the Legislature.

WILLIAMS, THOMAS SCOTT, LL. D., an American jurist, born at Wethersfield, Conn., June 26, 1777, died at Hartford, Conn., Dec. 20, 1861. He was educated at Yale College, where he graduated in 1794; studied law at Litchfield, Conn., under Judge Reeve; was admitted to the bar in Windham County, in 1799, and commenced practice in Mansfield, Conn., whence he removed to Hartford in 1803. In 1809 he was appointed attorney of the Board of Managers of the School Fund, an office of consider able value and importance. Between 1813 and

1829 he represented the town of Hartford in the General Assembly seven times, and was a representative of the Hartford district in Cogress from 1817 to 1819. In 1829 he wa pointed an associate judge of the Supre Court of Errors, and in 1834 was appard chief-justice. He received the degree of LL. I from Yale College the same year. He pre in the Supreme Court with eminent aliley12 1847, when, having attained the age of sevezy years, his term expired by constitutional limita tion. He was mayor of the city of Hart from 1831 to 1835. After retiring from the chief-justiceship, he returned to the practure of his profession as a counselling attorney and referee. He was deeply interested in all the great benevolent enterprises of the day, må was universally beloved and honored for integrity and purity of character. He was the time of his death, and had been for a years, president of the American Tract S ty, and a leading officer of the American Erme Missionary Society, American Tempere Union, American Board of Commissioners fr Foreign Missions, &c., &c. His donatione 18 these and other objects of Christian bez lence were very large, and at his death he be queathed $28,000 to them and to kindred in tutions.

WILLIAMSPORT is a village in Washingtra County, Maryland, on the Potomac Riñ, u the mouth of Conecocheaque Creek. It we be miles southwest of Hagerstown. The Class peake and Ohio Canal passes through the villast The movement of troops from Pennsyl and also up the Potomac, resulted in the recentration of more than eighteen regiments i this point on July 1.

Within a radius of five miles lay encamped the Second and Third Pennsylvania, under Geral Wynkoop; the Regular Cavalry, four c of the Second, Perkins' battery of artule. Sixth, Twenty-first, and Twenty-th Puzzsylvania regiments, under Colonel Bas the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-fura Pennsylvania, under General Negley; the ET enth Pennsylvania Regiment, First Wisoverz Regiment, and McMullin's Independent Ra under Col. Abercrombie. The whole evita embracing eighteen full regiments, and serum detached corps, such as Major Dosheleph two companies, the Second Cavalry, ari First City Troop, and Perkins' Artikry, van under marching orders to cross the river and take up a position on the south side uzi pulsed by the enemy.

It

The ford is naturally one of the best river, and the proper ascent on the T shore very easy. At three o'clock the be morning the movement commenced. bright and beautiful morning, and as the alim who were in excellent spirits, filed past, y were reviewed by Major-General Patters A Confederate force of three regiments of fantry, and one of cavalry, and four pe14 artillery, was on the Virginia side, under